Core business areas and products
From a company that initially focused on the production of personal protection, Plasan quickly evolved to offer protection packages for light vehicles, then to designing protected vehicles, and in 1998 and 2010 expanded from the land environment to encompass the air and sea environments, respectively. Most recently, the expansion and diversification has continued into the field of maneuvering robotics.
Survivability solutions (land): Plasan offers a full suite of survivability/protection solutions for the land environment. Ballistic protection from STANAG 4569 Level 1 through to Level 6 are offered by the company. Protection against land mine blast and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast, including under belly Explosively Formed Penetrator (EFP) threats up to STANAG Level 4 and beyond are also offered. For protection against rocket-propelled grenade attack, Plasan offers Hybrid Slat Fence (HSF), a bar-type armor that is constructed of a hybrid of composite and metal, and is around 20% the weight of a traditional steel solution, weighing around 10 kg/m2. For internal protection, spall liners are offered, these weighing 10-20 kg/m2 and are between 10 and 20 mm thick.[24] Plasan also offers blast attenuating seats, these branded Terra (presented TERRA for marketing purposes), with over 20,000 examples delivered globally. Terra blast attenuating seats would usually be used in conjunction with T-Bar blast absorbing footpads.[25] Survivability solutions (air): Plasan has provided protection solutions for air assets since 1998. These have included solutions for Lockheed C-130 Hercules and Super Puma for Singapore, Black Hawks for the IDF and Japan, Mil Mi-17 and Alouette for Nepal, CH-47 Chinook for the UK, Netherlands, Spain and Japan, and CM235 and KA-32C of the South Korean Air Force.
Survivability solutions (sea): In 2012 Plasan participated in a ship armouring tender issued by BAE Systems in the UK. Plasan was selected to supply composite armor for the first batch of the Royal Navy's Type 26 frigates, the City-class. In 2018 Australia selected a modified Type 26 as then Hunter Class, and in 2019 Canada placed an order for up to 19 ships based on the Type 26. Plasan will supply the composite armor for the Australian and Canadian ships.[26]
Maneuvering Robotics - All-Terrain electric Mission Module (ATeMM): In 2021 and in a derivation from protection solutions into robotics, Plasan unveiled the All-Terrain electric Mission Module (ATeMM). A single ATeMM module has a single air-sprung, steer-capable portal axle, a kerb weight of 1,600 kg, and a payload of 1,150 kg. Dimensions are 1.8 m x 1.9 m (L x W), and height to loadbed is 1.2 m. ATeMM is battery-powered. The module connects to a conventional vehicle by a triple tow hook rigid coupling that a limited rotation on the pitch and roll axis, and is fixed on the yaw axis. While connected the module can drive or use momentum to recharge the on-board batteries.[27]
Two, three or even four modules can be coupled together, with the resulting platform capability of up to full autonomous operation. As of 2024 pre-production ATeMM are under test in Israel and in United States.
SandCat to SandCat Tigris: The Tigris is the current version of the SandCat, and the type is an IDF-specific configuration. First deliveries were made in 2023. The first examples of the SandCat range were delivered during 2008, and the type is now in its fourth generation. Well over 1000 SandCats, and derivatives of SandCat, have been delivered to more than 15 user countries. The SandCat essentially mates a Plasan-designed Kitted Hull concept body with a Ford F-550 chassis and automotives, the latter uprated and modified by Plasan.[28]
To the fourth generation SandCat range, Plasan added the M-LPV. The M-LPV retains the overall dimensions of the SandCat, but features a chassis less monocoque hull with mine blast protection.[28]
Storm Rider: The Storm Rider was introduced in 2021. The Storm Rider retains many of the Ford F-550 components and Plasan body panels used in the fourth generation SandCat, but overall is a larger and heavier design (11,500 kg GVW) that features full-time all-wheel drive and a fully independent suspension set-up.[28]
EX11: The EX11, which was briefly marketed as the MKT, was introduced in 2022. The EX11 is based on a Ford F-550 chassis and automotives, but the design is not marketed as a SandCat family member by Plasan.[28]
